Presidential Updates

Clif’s Notes for Jan. 31, 2023

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It’s that time of year when much of our external focus turns to Jefferson City and the legislative session.

The Missouri legislative session began on Jan. 4. There are many opening weeks activities as committee assignments are made, bills are filed and the governor delivers a State of the State Address.

We spend time in the fall developing our legislative plan and priorities. Actions during that time included meeting with Gov. Mike Parson and our legislators to advocate for these priorities.

Our plan for the 2023 session

Our priorities for the university include:

  • A 7% core operating appropriation increase.
  • A $2 million one-time appropriation to establish a construction education and training hub through the MoExcels program.
  • A $17.5 million capital appropriation to partially fund the renovation of Roy Blunt Hall and Cheek Hall.

All three priorities were included in Gov. Parson’s budget recommendations.

The budget will now move to the various House subcommittees and committees before heading to the Senate. The budget must be finalized and sent to the governor by 5 p.m. May 5. We will monitor that process throughout the session.

Additionally, as noted above, there are many bills that are filed. Few actually make it to committees and the floor, but we also closely monitor those that impact the university and higher education.

On the federal side, on Dec. 29, President Joe Biden signed all 12 appropriations bills for FY2023.

These bills included the following appropriations for MSU championed by now retired Sen. Roy Blunt:

  • $35 million for renovations to Blunt Hall, Cheek Hall, and other STEM and health facilities on the Springfield campus.
  • An additional $3 million for endowed faculty chairs in CNAS.
  • $1.5 million for the ASCEND program in West Plains.

The bills also include $2 million for the Brewer Science Annex at JVIC. Now retired Rep. Billy Long championed this appropriation.

I’ll be reporting on our proposed budget for FY2024 in the coming weeks. The actions in Jefferson City directly impact this budget.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

Clif

 

 

Clif’s Notes for Nov. 29, 2022

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In Washington, D.C., Congress will begin a new legislative session on Jan. 3.

In Jefferson City, the General Assembly will begin a new legislative session on Jan. 4.

Preparations for these critical dates are underway.

This week, our federal lobbying team is on campus meeting with the leadership team, discussing projects and other funding proposals, and familiarizing themselves with our operations. Similarly, in two weeks, our state lobbying team will be on campus.

Throughout December, we will finalize priorities, create white papers and other materials, and develop strategies to advocate for MSU in Washington and Jefferson City. We will also meet with legislators to begin laying the groundwork for success in the legislature.

I hope you will join me in advancing MSU’s interests in the state and federal capitols by:

  • Attending the MSU State Legislative Briefing at 10 a.m. Dec. 9 in the Traywick Parliamentary Room (PSU 313). Please email rsvp@missouristate.edu if you plan to attend.
  • Signing up for the MSU Legislative Network to receive updates, talking points, advocacy tips, requests for grassroots help and other information as the legislative sessions in Washington and Jefferson City progress.
  • Emailing president@missouristate.edu if you have specific grant requests, projects for potential funding or other items for which you would like our team to consider advocating.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for Aug. 2, 2022

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Today is election day.

I hope you will join me by putting the public affairs mission into practice and voting because it matters who we send to Jefferson City and Washington, D.C.

Remember that if you are a Greene County resident, you can vote at the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center.

When I began thinking about this note, I initially planned to talk about current candidates who have supported Missouri State in the past — whether through budget allocations or policies that directly impacted the university. As president of Missouri State, this is especially important to me when I am making my voting decisions.

As I thought about it more, I was reminded it’s not my job to provide guidance or influence. We each make our candidate selections based on measures that are important to us. That’s what a democracy is all about.

So today is a day when you have the opportunity to influence what happens in Missouri and in Washington. It’s a privilege we should all cherish.

Vote!

If you want to know how I voted and why, send me an email. I am happy to share.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State.

 

Clif’s Notes for July 19, 2022

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Last week Gov. Mike Parson was on campus to sign the Fast Track bill.

The Fast Track program was created in 2019. The program addresses workforce needs by helping adults pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in an area designated as high need.

Fast Track is an important tool for educating non-traditional students. For students who qualify, the program can provide them with the opportunity to obtain a degree at little or no cost.

For our students who are working full-time, taking care of a family and managing a full slate of life responsibilities, this program can make the difference between getting by or earning a degree and getting ahead.

This year’s bill extended the sunset and made significant improvements to the Fast Track program. Improvements include increasing the number of eligible training providers and removing forgivable loan components, making Fast Track a true grant program.

I want to thank Gov. Parson for his leadership in renewing and improving the Fast Track program. I also want to thank Sen. Lincoln Hough for sponsoring this important bill and supporting students in need.

Many programs, priorities and projects funded this session

The Fast Track bill is just one example of the successes for higher education this legislative session.

Other examples include:

  • Fully funding state scholarship programs.
  • A 5.4% core funding increase for colleges and universities.
  • $31.5 million for MoExcels grants.
  • $460 million in capital projects at colleges and universities.

The state’s budget includes more than $40 million for projects on MSU’s Springfield and West Plains campuses.

This level of support for higher education would not have been possible without the leadership of Gov. Parson and our legislative delegation. I hope you will take the opportunity to thank them for their work.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!

Clif’s Notes for May 10, 2022

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Last week the legislature passed the state budget.

I am pleased to report that the budget includes funding for our top priorities:

  • A 5.4% core increase for MSU’s operations.
  • $30 million in capital funds for the Temple Hall project.
  • $2.55 million in capital funds for the JVIC braider project.
  • $1.25 million in capital funds for the hospital simulation training lab in West Plains.

The budget also includes $7.5 million in capital funds for a facility to house our ASCEND Program on the West Plains campus.

This was not a project we advocated for this year, but we are in the early planning stages for the facility. We will be happy to receive the funding and will be prepared to design and build the facility if Gov. Mike Parson signs the appropriation and releases the funds.

The budget also includes one-time funds to reimburse the increase in our MOSERS pension premium this year. This appropriation is important — it will allow me to present a balanced proposed budget to the Board of Governors when they meet next week.

The final stage in the state’s budget process is for Parson to sign or veto each appropriation before July 1.

Many advocate for MSU

This has been a very successful year in the state budget.

It would not have been possible without Parson including our priorities in his budget recommendations in January.

Sens. Hegeman, Hough, and Eslinger — along with many of our other friends in the House and Senate — worked tirelessly to maintain and supplement Parson’s recommendations throughout the process.

We owe all of them our sincere appreciation.

Session winding down

Next week is the last week of legislative session. Many policy bills are still under consideration.

These bills deal with financial aid, curricular and academic issues, campus policies and a variety of other matters critical to our operations at MSU.

We will remain engaged in the legislative process, advocating for MSU’s interests and priorities, as the General Assembly completes its work for the year.

Thanks for all you do for Missouri State!